Thirty-two people died of flu in January, the National Institute of Hygiene has warned.

Most of the victims contracted the A/H1N1 virus. Doctors say, however, that the confirmed deaths were caused mainly by the swine flu virus combined with serious diseases, such as cancer, pneumonia or circulatory system dysfunction.

The Health Ministry has also assured that the virus is not lethal and those who contract it should not panic because most cases are rather mild.

In January 2010, as many as 64,446 flu cases were reported while this year only in the last week of January, the number reached 69,512, including 13 fatal cases.

People who are at most at risk from contracting the virus include doctors, chronically ill children and pregnant women, who have been advised to take the anti-flu vaccine. (mg/jb)

Source: PAP